Gilgal became the Israelites' first base after they crossed the Jordan River. It was the site of key events during their conquest (Joshua 4–6). The stone idols might have been a pagan shrine made from the twelve stones Joshua set up (Joshua 4:20). Later, Gilgal remained an important center for both the faithful (1 Samuel 7:16) and idol worshippers (Hosea 4:15; 9:15; 12:11; Amos 4:4; 5:5).